'Le Corbusier's fourth dimension' is an exhibition of the visual art practice of world-famous architect Le Corbusier. The exhibition contains drawings, paintings, sculptures and tapestries, some of which have never been shown before. The title is derived from a quote by Le Corbusier, where he compared his artistic process with a journey into a ‘miraculous fourth dimension’. The title also indicates a world beyond the established image of this influential and controversial architect and city builder, because although Le Corbusier’s architecture is usually seen as the very essence of rationalism and functionalism, it is apparent from his visual practice that he also gave space to the free experiment an the irrational in his practise.

1. Press release 10 July 2017
Exhibition: Le Corbusier's fourth dimension in the Cobra
Museum of Modern Art
7 October 2017 to 7 January 2018
Opening - 16:00 on Sunday 8 October 2017
• Le Corbusier's fourth dimension exhibits the
visual art practice of this world-renowned architect
through his drawings, paintings, tapestries and other
objects.
• Although Le Corbusier's architecture is
commonly seen as a prime example of rationalism
and functionalism, this exhibition of his visual
practice also makes it clear that he gave free rein to
the experiment.
• Danish artist Jakob Kolding was invited to
carry out an intervention in the exhibition,
mediating between Le Corbusier, CoBrA and the
public.
Le Corbusier, Étude Taureau/Bull study, 1954, unsigned, dated mid-right 31 August
54.
'Le Corbusier's fourth dimension' is an exhibition of the visual art practice of world-famous
architect Le Corbusier. The exhibition contains drawings, paintings, sculptures and tapestries,
some of which have never been shown before. The title is derived from a quote by Le
Corbusier, where he compared his artistic process with a journey into a ‘miraculous fourth
dimension’. The title also indicates a world beyond the established image of this influential and
controversial architect and city builder, because although Le Corbusier’s architecture is
usually seen as the very essence of rationalism and functionalism, it is apparent from his visual
practice that he also gave space to the free experiment an the irrational in his practise.
For 45 years, Le Corbusier spent half of every day in the place he called his ‘Workplace for patient
research’, an intimate personal area where he would write, draw, paint, and create sculptures. At the
same time, this workplace unlocked his research as an architect. Over the years, there have been
many studies into the relationship between Le Corbusier's visual work and his architecture, and how
his visual thinking process was reflected in his practice as an architect.
The Cobra Museum of Modern Art commissioned Danish artist Jakob Kolding to create a new work
which mediates between Le Corbusier, CoBrA and the public in response to the exhibition. For the
purpose, Kolding developes a scenography of objects and collages in relation to Le Corbusier's work
and the collection of the museum.

2. Le Corbusier, Deux femmes couchées
avec silhouettes de maisons (Two
reclining women with silhouettes of
houses), 1934
The exhibition 'Le Corbusier's fourth dimension' shows how important it is to create space for the
experiemnt by giving free rein to the irrational. The CoBrA movement advocated right from the start
that the irrational character of man should be permanently acknowledged, and therefore given a
prominent role in art practice. Le Corbusier and CoBrA are directly linked by one of the core
members and intellectual powerhouses behind CoBrA: Danish artist and thinker Asger Jorn (1914-
1973). As a young artist, Jorn worked alongside the famous architect, and as such became aware of
the power of art and architecture to create emotion. From that moment on, the Danish artist was
fascinated by architecture as the most public form of art, and continued to follow Le Corbusier's
activities. Incidentally, Le Corbusier’s radical ideas about purity and ideal relationships would lead him
to engage with totalitarian ideologies like fascism in his later career.
The exhibition is a collaboration with Fondation Le Corbusier.
If you would like to know more about this exhibition, Le Corbusier's fourth dimension, or receive images, please contact
Eric Wie at the Cobra Museum: e.wie@cobra-museum.nl+31 (0)20 5475052. www.cobra-museum.nl
The Cobra Museum of Modern Art in Amstelveen is generously supported by the Municipality of Amstelveen and the Bank
Giro Lottery.